Travel Articles & Stories about Costa Rica have been selected for interest, educational value and sometimes just for fun. The articles are listed below.
Beaches beckon on Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast
ticotimes.net Meg Yamamoto, July 5, 2011
Boasting turquoise seas and golden sand, the string of beaches between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo are among the most beautiful in the country.
Palms swaying in the warm, Caribbean breeze. Clear, turquoise waters lapping on golden sand. Toucans, iguanas, howler monkeys and sloths peeking from the treetops. This postcard from the tropics comes to vivid life on the beaches of Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast.
Some of the most beautiful beaches of Costa Rica’s nearly 1,300 kilometers of coastline can be found strung along the shore between the towns of Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo. Depending on the beach, visitors can swim, sunbathe, surf or snorkel the reefs, and take refuge from the noonday heat in the shade of palm and almond trees.
The Caribbean vibe, culture and cuisine make the region unique in the country. You’ll find no megaresorts here, with most hotels consisting of only a few rooms or bungalows. Also unique is the weather; the Caribbean doesn’t follow the rainy-or-dry-season pattern of the rest of the country, and visitors should be prepared for rain anytime. The best weather of the year is usually in September and October – the height of the rainy season in most other parts of Costa Rica – when clear blue skies and calm seas make the region a haven from the torrential rains falling elsewhere in the country.
The town of Puerto Viejo, where most services are centered, abuts Playa Negra, a black-sand beach with gentle surf where local kids can nearly always be spotted splashing about. But the best beaches lie southeast of town, along the 13-kilometer stretch between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo. The picturesque, flat coastal road makes car access easy, but don’t miss the experience of beach hopping by bicycle. You can rent a bicycle in town for about $5 a day, and getting around on pedal power allows you to see more details, smell the flowers and exchange waves and smiles with the locals.
Cocles Beach Break
Distance from Puerto Viejo: 2 km
Access: Off the coastal road, or via a footpath from town
Good for: Surfing, swimming when currents allow
Proximity to town and surf action make this one of the most popular beaches in the region. The wide expanse of sand ensures it’s never crowded. Swimmers should use caution: Beach Break is known for powerful rip currents that claim lives every year. Fortunately, this is one of the few beaches in the country with a lifeguard program, paid for by local businesses. A colored flag system warns of dangerous currents and indicates where it is safe or unsafe to swim. The beach is right off the road, the first one you see heading southeast from town. A pleasant, tree-shaded trail leads from town to the beach (about a 15-minute walk). Robberies, though uncommon, have been reported along the trail, so stay alert and try not to walk alone.
